Can carriers



W. M. TOLAAS Nov. 8, 1966 CAN CARRIERS Filed June 21, 1965 INVENTOR J! K L. I l 2529 /26 3032 15 5 F/G. 5

W/L LIAM M. Tom/1s BY mg ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,283,990 CAN CARRIERS William M. Tolaas, St. Paul, Minn assignor to Waldorf Paper Products Company, St. Paul, Minn, a corporation of Minnesota Filed June 21, 1965, Ser. No. 465,289 3 Claims. (Cl. 229-40) This invention relates to an improvement in can carriers and deals particularly with a carrier for two rows of cans having a central partition between the rows, and which can be produced economically.

Can carriers for containing two rows of cans are produced by the millions. Many such carriers comprise merely an open-ended sleeve which encircles the two rows of cans, some means being provided for preventing the cans from sliding through the open ends of the sleeve. One of the difficulties with carriers of this type lies in the fact that unless they are wrapped very tightly about the cans, there is a tendency for the various walls to swing out of right angular relation, causing the chimes of the cans of one row to ride above or below the chimes of the cans of the other row. Accordingly, most such carriers are provided with tabs of one type or another folded between the cans so that this action cannot take place. While such tabs may be easily produced, the tabs cause considerable complication in the equipment necessary to fold the tabs.

The use of a central partition wall separating the two rows of cans solves this problem, and also prevents the top wall from bowing upwardly when lifted by the fingers inserted through two spaced openings in the top panel. However, the provision of a full partition panel between the rows adds approximately 20 per cent more paperboard. Thus most users are not willing to pay the extra cost for the paperboard. On the other hand, the users recognize the advantage of the central partition and realize that it greatly simplifies the machinery used to close the cartons. Accordingly, there are some users who would prefer to pay a somewhat higher price for the carton blanks so that the simpler machinery can be employed.

An object of the present invention resides in the provision of a carrier for two rows of cans, the carrier having a central partition, but which may be produced at a considerably lower price than is usual for partitioned carriers. With the present construction, the extra amount of paperboard used may be cut to substantially an added percent, resulting in a considerable savings to those who prefer cartons of this type.

A feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a carrier of the type described in which the partition panel and the glue flap attached thereto is cut in such manner as to form two spaced straps of paperboard, these straps being of an area which is approximately one-half of what the area would be if portions of the partition panel and glue flap were not cut away. The straps are arranged to dovetail with the similar area of a similar blank. As a result, the amount of area added by the partition is substantially cut in two.

Carrier cartons of the type described are usually packed in packing cases which contain, for example, eight such filled carriers. As the carriers fit tightly in the case, some means must be provided for lifting them from the case. In many instances, where the cans are six in number and arranged in two rows of three cans each, the carriers are lifted by inserting the thumb and a finger through a pair of spaced apertures in the top panel of the carrier, these apertures being arranged in registry with the spaces between the center cans of the two rows and the end cans thereof. In view of the fact that this is the only area near the center of the carton through which the fingers may be 3,2833% Patented Nov. 8, 1966 inserted, the location of these apertures cannot be readily varied. If the partition straps were of rectangular shape, with each strap being approximately one quarter of the width of the blank so that the straps could dovetail, the glue flaps forming a part of these partition straps would at least partially close the finger openings. Accordingly, the strap which extends along an edge of the blank tapers in width so that its end extremity forms a glue flap which is connected to the undersurface of the top panel in the area between one of the finger openings and the adjoining edge of the blank, while the other strap is angled so that its end extremity is secured to the undersurface of the top panel in the area between the finger openings. As a result, the partition does not interfere with the insertion of the fingers through the finger openings.

These and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be more clearly and fully set forth in the following specification and claims.

In the drawings forming a part of the specification,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the blank in erected form, a portion of the contained cans being omitted so that the structure of the carrier may be seen.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical sectional view through the erected blank, the position of the section being indicated by the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the blank in flat folded form.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational view of the blank during the process of being folded from the fiat form shown in FIGURE 3 to the erected form shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a diagrammatic view of the blank from which the carton is formed.

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of the blank after the first folding operation.

The blank A is formed as is best illustrated in FIGURE 5 of the drawings. The blank A usually comprises an elongated strip of paperboard having parallel longitudinal edges 10 and 11. The blank is creased at right angles to these longitudinal edges 10 and 11 to form the various panels of the blank. In sequence, the blank includes a partial bottom panel 12 foldably connected along the fold line 13 to a first side wall panel 14. The side wall panel 14 is foldably connected along a fold line 15 to the top panel 16. The top panel 16 is foldably connected along the fold line 17 to a second side wall panel 19. The second side wall panel 19 is connected along a fold line 20 to a partial bottom panel 21. The bottom panel 21 is foldably connected along the fold line 22 to a partition panel 23. The partition panel 23 is foldably connected along a fold line 24 to a glue flap structure 25.

In a conventional partitioned carrier of the type described, the partition panel 23 and glue flap structure 25 would both be of rectangular form and extend the full width of the blank between the edges 10 and 11. In the present arrangement, the partition panel 23 and the glue flap structure 25 which is connected thereto, are cut so that the cut portions may be dovetailed with the similar portions of a similar blank A, the end of such a similar blank being indicated in broken outline in FIGURE 5 of the drawings.

The top panel 16 is provided with can retaining tabs 26 provided with arcuate chime engaging edges 27 and designed to engage into the recessed end of the four end cans of the two rows. In the arrangement illustrated, the tabs 26 are connected to the top panel 16 along diagonally extending fold lines 29, the fold lines 27 near each of the longitudinal edges of the blank coverging toward the blank edge. If preferred, the fold lines 29 may extend parallel to the longitudinal edges, and the edges of the tab opposite the fold lines may be folded into the recessed can ends.

Similar tabs 30 having arcuate edges 31 are provided in the bottom panels 12 and 21. The tabs 30 are hinged to their respective panels along diagonal fold lines 32.

The top panel 16 is provided with a pair of spaced finger receiving apertures 33 and 34, the center portions of which are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the diameter of a can B. The apertures 33 and 34 are equally spaced on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the blank, so that these apertures register with the spaces between the center cans of the two rows and the outer cans thereof. A thumb and finger may be inserted through these apertures to permit the carrier to be lifted. The finger openings may also be used for carrying the carton if it is so desired.

The partition panel 23 and the adjoining glue flap structure 25 are cut to form a first strap 35 having an edge extending along the edge 11 of the blank, and a second strap 36 which is in spaced relation to the strap 35. In the arrangement illustrated, the straps 35 and 36 terminate with their ends in spaced relation to the fold line 22. Actually, the straps 35 and 36 could terminate at their attached ends anywhere up to the fold line 22 but the structure illustrated is somewhat stronger than if the amount of dovetail were increased.

In forming the straps 35 and 36, a notch 37 is formed in the glue flap structure 25 and partition panel 23 which is preferably identical in shape to the shape of the strap 36. Furthermore, a notch 39 is formed in these same members along the longitudinal blank edge which is identical in shape to the shape of the strap 35. As a result, the ends of two blanks A may dovetail together as indicated in FIGURE 5. The specific shape of the straps 35 and 36 may be varied, and the particular outline illustrated in the drawing may be changed. The general purpose of the shape illustrated is to leave the finger openings 33 and 34 open so that the carrier could be lifted. As a result, the end portion 40 of the strap 36 is relatively narrow so that it will underlie only the portion of top panel 16 which is between the finger aper tures 33 and 34. The adjoining portion of the partition panel 23 adjoining the glue flap structure portion 41 is also narrow so as to permit the end of the finger to engage beneath the portion of the top panel. Below this necessary cutaway portion, the strap 36 is widened as indicated at 42 to increase the strength of the strap 36. Thus, in general, the strap 35 is tapered from the out line 43 forming the base of the notch 37 to the end of the glue flap portion 44 forming a part of the glue flap structure 25. Similarly, the strap 36 extends angularly from the other end of the cut line and the cut line 45 forming the base of the notch 39 to the end of the glue flap portion 41.

It is obvious that in its simplest form, the straps 35 and 36 could be rectangular so that the blanks could dovetail together. However, this is impossible where the end of the strap 36 must lie at the center of the carton. For this reason, the tapered form of the strap 35 and the angular form of the strap 36 is preferred.

In accordance with the patent statutes, I have described the principles of construction and operation of my improvement in can carriers; while I have endeavored to set forth the best embodiment thereof, I desire to have it understood that obvious changes may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. A carrier for two rows of generally cylindrical objects arranged with their axes substantially parallel, the carrier comprising an elongated strip of paperborad creased along parallel fold lines to provide:

a pair of side wall panels hinged to said top panel and having a width substantially equal to the axial length of the cylindrical objects.

a first bottom panel hinged to one side wall and approximately of a width equal to the diameter of the cylindrical objects,

a partition panel hinged to said first bottom panel and of a width substantially equal to that of said side walls,

a glue flap hinged to said partition panel and adhered to the undersurface of said top panel,

said partition panel and glue flap being out throughout the major portion of their length to provide two spaced straps, one of which has an edge coinciding with one longitudinal edge of said strip, and the other strap starting from an area relatively closely spaced from the other longitudinal edge of the strip a distance equal to the width of the first strap and inclining toward the center of the top panel, and the space between said straps being equal to the width of said second strap.

2. The structure of claim 1 and in which the straps are shaped so that the straps of one carrier will dovetail with the straps of a similar blank.

.a top panel of a width approximately equal to twice the diameter of the cylindrical objects,

3. A carrier for two rows of generally cylindrical objects arranged with their axes substantially parallel, the carrier comprising an elongated strip of paperboard creased along parallel fold lines to provide:

a top panel of a width approximately equal to twice the diameter of the cylindrical objects,

a pair of side wall panels hinged to said top panel and having a width substantially equal to the axial length of the cylindrical objects,

a first bottom panel hinged to one side wall and approximately of a width equal to the diameter of the cylindrical objects,

a partition panel hinged to said first bottom panel and of it width substantially equal to that of said side wal s,

a glue flap hinged to said partition panel and adhered to the undersurface of said top panel.

said partition panel and glue flap being cut throughout the major portion of their length to provide two spaced straps, one of which has an edge coinciding with one longitudinal edge of said strip, and the other strap being spaced from the other longitudinal edge of the strip a distance equal to the width of the first strap and the space between said straps being equal to the width of said second strap,

said top panel having a pair of finger openings therethrough which are centered between the side walls and spaced on opposite sides of a center line between said longitudinal edges of said strip,

said first strap being anchored to said top wall and an area between one of said apertures and said one longitubular edge of said blank, and

said second strap is anchored to an area of said top wall between said finger openings.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 906,818 12/ 1908 Peltason. 2,722,365 11/1955 Phipps 206-65 X 2,812,105 11/1957 Parker 220-113 2,834,508 5/1958 Osterberg 2201 12 2,839,235 6/1958 Chidsey 206-65 X 2,850,207 9/1958 Toensmeier 20665 X GEORGE O. RALSTON, Primary Examiner, 

1. A CARRIER FOR TWO ROWS OF GENERALLY CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS ARRANGED WITH THEIR AXES SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL, THE CARRIER COMPRISING AN ELONGATED STRIP OF PAPERBORAD CREASED ALONG PARALLEL FOLD LINES TO PROVIDE: A TOP PANEL OF A WIDTH APPROXIMATELY EQUAL TO TWICE THE DIAMETER OF THE CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS, A PAIR OF SIDE WALL PANELS HINGED TO SAID TOP PANEL AND HAVING A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THE AXIS LENGTH OF THE CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS. A FIRST BOTTOM PANEL HINGED TO ONE SIDE WALL AND APPROXIMATELY OF A WIDTH EQUAL TO THE DIAMETER OF THE CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS, A PARTITION PANEL HINGED TO SAID FIRST BOTTOM PANEL AND OF A WIDTH SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL TO THAT OF SAID SIDE WALLS, A GLUE FLAP HINGED TO SAID PARTITION PANEL AND ADHERED TO THE UNDERSURFACE OF SAID TOP PANEL, SAID PARTITION PANEL AND GLUE FLAP BEING CUT THROUGHOUT THE MAJOR PORTION OF THEIR LENGTH TO PROVIDE TWO SPACED STRAPS, ONE OF WHICH HAS AN EDGE COINCIDING WITH ONE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID STRIP, AND THE OTHER STRAP STARTING FROM AN AREA RELATIVELY CLOSELY SPACED FROM THE OTHER LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF THE STRIP A DISTANCE EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF THE FIRST STRAP AND INCLINING TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE TOP PANEL, AND THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID STRAPS BEING EQUAL TO THE WIDTH OF SAID SECOND STRAP. 